VIENNA, Austria » There is a reason Vienna is called the Grand City of Europe. That its city centre was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Baroque castles and gardens. The musical legacy of Mozart, Hayden, Brahms and Beethoven. Every corner with buildings more ornate than the next.

In a word, opulenz. Lavishness.

Even the hotel that the Hawaii volleyball teams called home for one night is decorated in late-19th century modern with a circular staircase wrapping around the small elevator.

The only problem for the Rainbow Wahine? Running out of room on their camera phones, there were so many photo ops.

"The city is just amazing," Emily Maglio said.

"I think the recurring theme is architecture," Kalei Greeley added.

It was hard to choose just one museum, with the players splitting up by interest within the Museumsquartier; Museum of Modern Art; the Theatermuseum; the Sisi Museum, which is dedicated to the imperial lifestyle of the Habsburg dynasty; and one that honors Johannes Gutenberg, who introduced printing to Europe with his invention of the printing press.

"I wish my history classes had been as interesting as this, just being able to walk and experience it," one player was overheard to say.

The Rainbow Wahine again were encouraged to go out in groups on their own for lunch and dinner. Recommendations from the coaching staff included cuisine from the food stands that encircled Stephansdom, St. Stephan’s Cathedral: pretzels, hot chestnuts, potato fritters and bratwurst.

And, of course, opulenz, when it comes to the desserts that Vienna is known for such as sachertorte and locally made chocolate. Coach Dave Shoji particularly enjoyed the hot apple strudel with vanilla sauce.

Hawaii was to leave late afternoon for a four-hour bus ride to Prague, Czech Republic. The Wahine will have matches Tuesday and Wednesday against Czech federation teams before flying back to Hawaii on Thursday.

Star-Advertiser reporter Cindy Luis is accompanying the Wahine volleyball team on its trip to Europe, where the team is training and playing exhibition matches. Luis will provide daily accounts in print and online of the trip. Follow her @CindyLuis_SA